Dental care is constantly evolving, providing patients with more options than at any time in the past. Among the options for restoring smiles is the potential use of teeth bonding. While bonding teeth as being a treatment for some time, you may not be aware of how it works or what situations would call for this solution. Here are some of the more common questions about bonding, and how it could help you.
What is Teeth Bonding?
So what is teeth bonding? Simply put, it's a procedure that can be done in a dental office or clinic. It involves the application of a composite to the surface of the teeth in order to make repairs or hide flaws. Resin is among the most commonly used type of composite today.
There are a number of reasons to consider the idea of going with resin bonding teeth rather than some other treatment. One has to do with the expense. Compared to some other solutions the teeth bonding cost is competitive. How quickly the treatment can be administered is another plus. It doesn't hurt that the results will last for a long time, especially with proper dental hygiene.
Is Bonding Purely Cosmetic?
There's no doubt that composite teeth bonding has cosmetic properties. At the same time, it is also used to repair teeth that would have to be extracted otherwise. The use of cosmetic teeth bonding also helps to prevent any damage that is present from getting worse.
Bonding may be used in situations where the main focus is on appearance. Your dental professional can help you compare the merits of bonding with other solutions. For example, you may have that discussion as it relates to teeth bonding vs veneers, and decide that bonding is the solution that you prefer.
When Would a Dentist Recommend Bonding?
Dental professionals recommend bonding in a number of scenarios. One of the more common examples has to do with closing gaps between teeth. People who have small spaces between their teeth often feel self-conscious about them. Since bonding can help alter the shape of the teeth, it's easy to fill in those gaps while still ensuring the teeth look even.
Along with the bonding teeth gap solution, this approach can be used to fill in cavities and restore the shape of the tooth. Thanks to the nature of the composite, it can easily mold to fill in the space and ensure that the teeth look perfectly natural.
Bonding may also be recommended to take care of teeth that are cracked or broken. Depending on the severity of the damage, bonding may turn out to be the most practical solution. Your dentist may suggest this approach instead of opting for dental veneers. Expect the professional to provide some information about bonding teeth versus veneers, so you can decide which approach you would like to pursue.
There's also the cost factor to consider. Even with dental insurance, the amount of the co-pay for some other solutions may be more than you can reasonably afford. In that situation, the dental professional may recommend bonding instead. In order to know how much is teeth bonding in a specific instance, talk with a dentist and find out how it compares to other treatments.
Will Enamel Need to Be Removed?
One benefit that composite bonding to teeth offers above some other solutions is that no enamel has to be removed first. This is not true with options like veneers. With that and several other procedures, a portion of the enamel has to be taken away in order for the veneer to adhere properly. Since enamel cannot be regrown, it's a permanent loss.
The fact that enamel doesn't have to be removed is good for another reason. It's one less step that has to be completed before the treatment proper can commence. This simpler preparation is one of the reasons why bonding takes less time than some other solutions.
Is The Bonding Permanent?
While the action of composite bonding teeth is intended to last for a long time, it is not permanent. The day will come when the procedure must be repeated. How long it lasts depends on how diligent you are with dental hygiene.
On average, bonding is expected to last for a decade. That estimate assumes that you will brush your teeth at least twice a day and that you will use a toothbrush with the type of bristled recommended by your dentist. You're also expected to use dental floss on a regular basis and see a dentist at least twice a year.
Will Bonded Teeth Stain Over Time?
The original bonding is tinted to match the hue of your teeth. That's one reason why dentists recommend whitening treatments and cleanings before cosmetic bonding teeth. The material will resist staining to a greater degree than the rest of your teeth. Cleaning and whitening treatments first do mean that the teeth bonding before and after will be uniform and create the look that you want.
Can you whiten bonded teeth? The answer is generally no. There is currently no procedure that would explain how to whiten bonded teeth. Instead, the focus is on undergoing whitening treatments so that the rest of your teeth match the hue of the composite.
Can Bonding Be Removed?
If the bonding is applied to the surface, it is possible to remove the product. Doing so would be more difficult if you've undergone bonding teeth to repair damage rather than fill in gaps. It usually takes a single visit to remove the resin from bonded teeth.
However, removal is generally not recommended unless you have other plans to use some other form of treatment. For example, bonding front teeth and then later removing the resin to go with veneers is something you want to discuss with your dentist before anything is done.
You may have a dental issue that can be solved with the use of teeth bonding. Now is the time to ask around and learn what you can about bonding teeth near me, and which practice offers results that will please you. The results will be worth it.
For more information, please talk with a teeth bonding specialist today.